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 The Child Development Division provides services to prenatal women, children and families in 28 communities across Alaska. The programs offered by the Division include Head Start, Early Head Start, Parents As Teachers, and childcare. The Child Development Division operates under strict federal and state regulations and guidelines, which require a well-trained staff and close monitoring of its programs. Their outcomes for improvements in child health, school readiness, and parenting and family functioning are achieved through ongoing higher education requirements for the classroom and childcare staff, through capacity building with parents and families, and participation on local Parent Committees and Councils and Advisory Boards.
All Child Development Division programs are designed to facilitate parent involvement and community collaboration. Programs promote the basic tenet that parents are the child’s first and best teacher. Services to children promote positive socio-emotional development, healthy practices, cultural richness and school readiness. Services to families support self-determination and empowerment.
2009 Child Development Division Highlights
● 1,569 children served in all programs, birth through preschool
● 1,341 families enrolled
● 87 children with special needs served
● 1,168 children received developmental screenings
● Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers services to 83 prenatal women
● Served 135,082 nutritious meals and snacks through early childhood programs
● Secured $390,000 in CDBG funds from the Municipality of Anchorage to purchase land for a new Child Development Center
● Head Start facility renovations and additions in Kluti-Kaah and Akiak
The Child Development Division has been working toward educational requirements by its staff. In 2009, Head Start maintenance workers recieved weatherization training to help make facilities more energy efficient.
For more information contact:
Debi Baldwin, Child Development Division Director
Phone: (907) 865-7317
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